School caught in
a deadly dispute
over drugs cash

by Roy Beers

Children were this week set to return to the scene of Thursday’s Bishopbriggs shooting – with the assurance they’d be given every support.

A gunman had fired three shots at his victim as pupils were leaving school just after 3pm, sparking a full scale emergency involving armed police.

As the Herald went to press the search was still on for the suspect, who made off on foot in the direction of Ronaldsay Drive after the attack.

He is described as in his mid-40s, around 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, and was wearing a high visibility reflective yellow jacket with the hood pulled up.

While a major incident room has been set up at Kirkintilloch Police Office police have stressed there’s no risk to the public.

But senior officers say they are well aware of the effect the incident has had on local people. Residents at the scene told the Herald the sound of gunshots could clearly be heard.

Social media accounts talk of panic in the area around St Helen’s Primary as parents and children scattered, or hid in cars.

Chief Inspector Craig Smith said, “Understandably, the local community is very concerned about such a violent incident occuring mid-afternoon in a busy residential area of Bishopbriggs, close to a local school.

“I have officers carrying out high-visibility patrols, engaging with the public to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to establish who is responsible for this incident. Detectives are carrying out door to door inquiries and are currently gathering CCTV footage for review, and are following a number of lines of inquiry.”

East Dunbartonshire Council has said little about the chaos which erupted outside one of its primary schools on Thursday, initially referring press enquiries to police.

On Monday it confirmed the school would reopen on Tuesday after the holiday, and that support would be given to any child who required it.

Detective Inspector Greig Wilkie said: “I would appeal to anyone in the area of Dornoch Place at this time and could have seen anything suspicious to come forward and help with our inquiry.”

He’s particularly keen to hear from anyone who knows anything about the burned-out grey Volkswagen Golf car found in nearby Wood Lane.

Anyone with information is urged to call the local police office on 0141 532 4460 or on 101. Alternatively they can contact the Crimestoppers line in confidence on 0800 555 111.

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